HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Pop quiz: What north Alabama team has won 20 games during the last two seasons and its senior class can leave as the winningest group in school history.

The answer is Madison County, perhaps the best-kept secret in the Tennessee Valley.

“It would be a great honor for our senior class to set the record,” defensive lineman Jordan Henry said. “We seem to always be overlooked and overshadowed by other teams in North Alabama. However, as we have improved our record the last several years, more people are beginning to take notice of our program.”

The Tigers, who are 20-5 en route to two straight playoff appearances, move up from Class 4A to Class 5A, Region 7, joining Huntsville rivals Butler and Randolph to go with Guntersville, Boaz, Etowah, Douglas and Fairview. The schedule includes Walker and Arab, two 6A teams, as non-region opponents.

“We were placed in another region and the last time we were in this region we didn’t play as well,” Madison County coach Scott Peavey said. “However we have a chance to redeem ourselves this year.”

Peavey noted that 16 starters, eight on offense and eight on defense return this year. Quarterback Tyler Gurley, one of the Tennessee Valley’s best dual threats, returns at quarterback.

“It’s exciting to watch him (Gurley) play,” Peavey said. “He can make plays with his legs. Two years ago we had a very good quarterback, Jackson Richard, who was a drop back quarterback. We have had two different styles of quarterbacks the past two years and didn’t want our quarterbacks to run very much. But we realize now Tyler can really help us when the play breaks down.”

If Madison County wins nine games this season, it will be the winningest senior class in school history.

“I want to help our team set the record,” Gurley said. “I enjoy improvising and when the play breaks down, I’m not going to stay in the pocket. I’ve spent a lot of time this summer working on my footwork, getting my arm back in shape and reading defenses and safeties.”